The briefs: MainStreet donation

MainStreet donation

Libertyville MainStreet, a downtown revitalization group that has been experiencing serious financial trouble, will receive a boost. In a ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Tom Kreuser and M.J. Seiler, owners of Century 21 Kreuser & Seiler, will present MainStreet with a matching $10,000 contribution. The group at that time also will announce the total contributions it has received from recent fundraising efforts. Since its situation was announced late last year, the group is said to have received strong support from residents and businesses but has not announced specifics.

Watershed hearing

Two public meetings have been scheduled to receive comments on the draft Bull Creek/Bull's Brook Watershed Plan. A public information meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Meadow golf course club house, 1 Pine Meadow Lane, Mundelein. A public hearing is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 28 in the ninth floor assembly room at the county building, 18 N. County St., Waukegan. The plan summarizes the conditions and problem areas of the watershed and identifies actions to reduce flooding, improve water quality and other measures. The watershed covers 14 square miles in the Libertyville, Mundelein and Grayslake area. For information, all (847) 918-5269.

High school art on display

Barrington High School's fourth annual student teapot show, which highlights artwork from students at many area high schools, is scheduled to open Tuesday and run through March 6 in the school's Clair E. Smith Art Gallery, 616 W. Main St. The show, called "Tea for 3D," will feature the work of students from Barrington High, Buffalo Grove High, Grant Community High, Libertyville High, Palatine High, Schaumburg High, St. Charles High and Wauconda High. A reception is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. March 6 in the gallery. The gallery is open between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on school days and during evening performances. For more information, contact Barrington's fine arts office at (847) 842-3214.

Scholarships available

The Friends of Volo Bog is offering two scholarships for $1,000 each to outstanding students interested in pursuing environmental careers. Applications can be found at www.friendsofvolobog.org and must be postmarked no later than Feb. 29. Applicants must live in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall or Will County, attend a high school in one of these counties, have a minimum B average for the first three years, and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the environment.

Essayists receive laptops

Third-graders from around the suburbs received laptop computers Sunday for winning essays answering the question, "How can a laptop change your community and change your world?" The following suburban students were among the 33 Illinois third-graders who won the contest: Tyler Bentsen of Central Elementary School in Lake Bluff; Jared Garner of Gurnee Grade School in Gurnee; Grant Haen of Schiesher Elementary School in Lisle; Adrian Holubek of Indian Grove Elementary School in Mount Prospect and Grace Keller of Liberty Elementary School in Carpentersville. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn announced the winners of the statewide essay contest Sunday. The XO laptop is an energy-efficient machine created especially for children living in the most remote environments.